Welcome to the holiday season, where the start times are wacky. Today, your presence is required for the first of back-to-back matinee games this weekend against the Detroit Red Wings.
After spending years in the basement as the Yzerplan took form, the Red Wings are shockingly leading the Atlantic Division through 35 games. The lineup is top-heavy forward-wise — with Alex DeBrincat (20g, 19a), Lucas Raymond (10g, 27a), and Dylan Larkin (17g, 16a) all with 30-plus points early this season — and their goaltending has been suspect with Cam Talbot and John Gibson with under .900 save percentages. That may explain why their goal differential is -8, suggesting there are problems under the hood here.
Today, Spencer Carbery will give Ivan Miroshnichenko his Capitals’ season debut after being recalled from the Hershey Bears on Friday. The team was forced to do so because Ryan Leonard is nearing a return during the holiday break and the team would not have been able to send Bogdan Trineyev back down during that time.
How the NHL holiday roster freeze led Capitals to recall Ivan Miroshnichenko
Logan Thompson will start again for the Capitals and oppose John Gibson in net.
Puck drop for today’s game is scheduled for a little after 12:30 pm. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin will have the call on Monumental Sports Network.
Lines
Washington Capitals
Detroit Red Wings
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Santa Claus sung the national anthem today. It was definitely not Bob McDonald.
Puck is dropped.
The Red Wings’ moms are here. It’s not yet know if Alex Ovechkin took a photo with them yet.
Ryan Leonard’s brother, John, scores 65 seconds into the game.
1-0 Detroit Red Wings
Goal: John Leonard (1). Assists: S. Edvinsson (7), A. Copp (14). Time: 1:05
Capitals go to their first power play after Dylan Larkin holds Aliaksei Protas along the boards at 3:04.
Nothing’s going for the Caps power play.
The Red Wings are dominating the Capitals at five-on-five. Capitals look sleepy today.
Carlson hooks Larkin at 16:15.
Thompson with a big save at the far post.
Capitals kill the power play. WSH is currently being outshot 17-3.
Capitals second line showing some life at the end of the buzzer here.
At intermission: A big yikes. The Red Wings lead 1-0. They’re leading in shots on goal 17-6 and five-on-five attempts 29 to 9.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
Mo Seider sends a shot off the end boards that goes right to JVR in front for a layup. This game is punishing.
2-0 Detroit Red Wings
Goal: James van Riemsdyk (8). Assists: M. Seider (21), A. Copp (15). Time: 1:37
Big save by Thompson on Kopp, who tried to beat him glove side on a semi-breakaway.
Dylan Strome just absolutely dominated in front of the net by Elmer Soderblom, who boxed him out like it was Shaq on Mugsy Bogues.
3-0 Detroit Red Wings
Goal: Elmer Soderblom (2). Assists: M. Kasper (2), A. Johansson (4). Time: 5:55
Don’t worry, you guys, this is where it gets better. The Capitals now have a power play. Axel Sandin-Pellikka is to the box for cross-checking at 6:45.
Milano finds Carlson with a beautiful cross-crease pass, but the shot hits off Gibsons right pad and out.
Caps power play over.
Seider rips the puck off Anthony Beauvillier at the point and scores easily on a two-on-none. This is embarrassing.
4-0 Detroit Red Wings
Goal: Moritz Seider (5). Unassisted. Time: 10:05
Thirty-one seconds later, Aliaksei Protas scores with a perfectly placed shot to the far corner from a tight angle. Gibson though should have probably had that.
4-1 Detroit Red Wings
Goal: Aliaksei Protas (12). Assists: T. Wilson (17), R. Sandin (8). Time: 10:36
Raymond skates into the crease after the whistle and Tom Wilson has awakened. He tried to squeeze Raymond’s head like a grape.
Protas to the box for hooking at 13:08.
Capitals kill the penalty.
Ovechkin with a big hit along the side boards.
Capitals are stringing together a few good shifts here. Feels like they’re close to connecting.
At intermission: The Red Wings lead 4-1. Red Wings lead in shots on goal 31 to 15. Oi.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped. A comeback does not feel imminent but let’s see if the Caps can just show some life for tomorrow’s rematch at least.
Matt Roy hits the outside of the post with a point shot.
New lines:
Logan Thompson stops Alex DeBrincat on a breakaway after a turnover by Tom Wilson.
Blocked shot finds Fehervary who rifles the puck quick past Gibson.
4-2 Detroit Red Wings
Goal: Martin Fehervary (3). Assists: D. Chisholm (3), D. Strome (18). Time: 8:30
Chychrun scores but it’s ruled goaltender interference by Aliaksei Protas and immediately waved off. Chiarot softly pushed Protas into Gibson who fell over to sell it.
The Capitals are challenging the ruling on the ice that there was goaltender interference. They may win this.
The call on the ice stands: no goal.
Capitals now killing a delay of game- unsuccessful challenge penalty at 9:41.
They kill the penalty after some great saves by Logan Thompson.
Capitals pull Logan Thompson for an extra attacker.
And…….
5-2 Detroit Red Wings
ENG: Dylan Larkin (18). Assists: S. Edvinsson (8). Time: 17:10
Capitals lose 5-2. Detroit outshot them 42 to 26. According to MNST, it’s the first time they’ve given up 40-plus shots since November 2024.
Wings beat Caps 5-2 in maybe the worst game of the season? Are the Caps bad now?
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